Oatmeal Yogurt
INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS
1 c. rolled oats or whole oats coarsely ground Blend oats at high speed. Slowly pour in water and soy sauce or miso. Blend until creamy.
1 c. water Set in warm place and cover. Do not seal.
½ tsp. unpasteurized soy sauce or miso Let ferment 6–10 hours to desired sourness, then refrigerate.
Fire (Summer) Soup Recipe: Chilled Cucumber Soup Serves 4–6
INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS
4 c. cucumber, chopped Puree all ingredients in the blender.
2 c. water or broth Serve chilled.
1 c. oatmeal yogurt (see recipe above) 1 clove garlic (optional)
Several fresh mint leaves
½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon dill weed.
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5 SECRETS TO BALANCED, HEALTHY LIVING: HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE 5 ELEMENTS
Earth
Earth is created from Fire. Earth is the Late Summer Element, and it governs the spleen-pancreas and stomach. The Late Summer season is the last month in Summer. The Earth Element is in the center of the seasons: Spring, Summer, Late Summer, Fall, and Winter. The Earth Element is about the digestion and absorption of foods. During this time of year, prepare easy foods using only a few seasonings, and choose foods that have a mild taste. When preparing your meals try to include some of the following foods because in TCM these foods are considered to be harmonizing and represent the center, due to the shape, color, and taste:
When your Earth Element is balanced you will feel strong, have a good appetite and digestion, and tend to have patience and lots of creative energy.
However if your Earth Element is not balanced you may experience chronic tiredness and excessive worry, and feel “stuck,” which interferes with creativity. You may suffer from anemia, digestive problems, nausea, abdominal bloating, a poor appetite, and loose stools if your Earth Element is out of balance.
To balance your Earth Element, choose from the following foods, which are rich in the Earth Element:
•ü Millet
•ü Chard, artichoke, sweet peas, string beans
•ü Sweet apples, figs, cantaloupe, oranges, honeydew
•ü Raisins, sweet grapes, dates, papaya, tangerine
•ü Salmon, tuna, swordfish
•ü Almonds, pecans, walnuts, sesame and sunflower seeds
•ü Agave, maple syrup, rice syrup, barley malt, molasses
Remember: Take time to chew your food so your body can easily digest it. Meals should be small and frequent to help balance the Earth Element.
A lunch or dinner rich in Earth Element foods might look like this:
Entrée: Grilled salmon
Side dish: Sautéed onions, squash, and zucchini
Dessert: Chopped apples, drizzled with agave and topped with crushed almonds and pecans
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Metal
Metal is the element that comes from the Earth in the Creation Cycle. Metal is the Element of Autumn, and it governs the lungs and the large intestine. Metals make up many of the minerals that the human body depends on to function.
There are major minerals and trace minerals, all which come from the earth. The major minerals include calcium, sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sulfur. You need to consume foods rich in calcium, magnesium and phosphorous for bone health. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are the body’s electrolytes, and sulfur is part of the protein molecule. The trace minerals include iron, zinc, io-dine, selenium, copper, manganese, fluoride, chromium, and molybdenum. These minerals are needed in smaller amounts than the major minerals (thus the label “trace”).
Each of the trace minerals has a unique role. For example, iron is a very important metal. Without iron our body would not be able to transport oxygen throughout our blood. Zinc is an important mineral for taste, healing, and growth. Iodine is important for proper thyroid function. Selenium is an antioxidant.
Copper helps with collagen production and iron transport. Chromium helps with blood sugar control.
Manganese helps with the formation of bone and cartilage, and molybdenum is important in the me-tabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids.
According to the Five Element Theory, Autumn is a time of harvest, a time to prepare for Winter. Autumn is a drier time of year, and you may experience symptoms of dryness such as dry skin, nose, throat, and lips, and itchiness. To counter the dry season of Autumn, choose from the following list of foods, which will add moisture: Using a small amount of salt when cooking helps to add moisture.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Metal Element foods help to balance the lungs and the large in-testine. When the Metal Element is out of balance you may experience problems with your lungs related to phlegm. You could have symptoms of wheezing, asthma, shortness of breath, and a cough. To balance your Metal element and decrease these symptoms, you should consume the following foods, which will not promote mucus:
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5 SECRETS TO BALANCED, HEALTHY LIVING: HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE 5 ELEMENTS
A general rule to follow if you are trying to decrease phlegm is to eat small amounts of fruits, legumes, and grains and almonds. In addition you want to avoid the following: all dairy foods, mammal meats, peanuts tofu, tempeh, miso, soy sauce, soy milk, and other soy products, amasake, and all sweeteners except stevia leaf.
The Metal Element is the weakest in many people. To strengthen this Element it is important to eat the following foods:
In addition to adding these foods, an active lifestyle is very important.